April is Stress Awareness Month!
April is recognised as National Stress Awareness Month to bring attention to the negative impact of stress. Managing stress is an essential component of a healthy lifestyle. Knowing how to manage stress can improve mental and physical well-being as well as minimise exacerbation of health-related issues.
In this blog, we want to help spread awareness of the consequences and impact of stress on our ears and hearing.
The Impact of Stress on Tinnitus.
Tinnitus is the name for hearing noises which are not caused by sounds coming from the outside world. It is very common but not usually a sign of anything serious. It can get better by itself, however if it doesn’t there are treatments that can help.
Tinnitus is a common symptom that is experienced by 10-15% of the population. Although most people who experience tinnitus are not overly affected by it, for some it may have a profound effect on their life. Tinnitus can be aggregated from stress. Stress management is very important when it comes to tinnitus.
It is debated whether stress is the actual underlying cause of tinnitus, but it is not uncommon for tinnitus to start during a period of stress. People who suffer with tinnitus say that their symptoms can worsen during times of stress. So, what can you do to reduce symptoms of tinnitus? There are some treatments that can help reduce your symptoms. These are based on an individual basis, so we would recommend booking an appointment with us at Hearing Choices. We can examine your ears with an otoscope, look for any wax build-up, treat any underlying infections, and provide advice and reassurance. There are certain types of tinnitus which will need a more specific treatment plan, and it’s important to understand which one will be best suited to your case.
Hearing Loss and Stress.
Stress reduces blood flow to the ears which can actually reduce hearing, and in some cases can stop hearing altogether. The small sensory hairs of the inner ear depend on good circulation to perform their delicate task of translating the noise your outer ears collect, into electrical impulses for the brain to interpret as recognizable sound. Each of these inner ear sensors are responsible for translating specific frequencies, so when they are damaged or die, the ability to send that message is affected, too.
Reducing your stress and the root cause of your stress is the first step to reducing these symptoms.
Stress Caused from Hearing Problems.
If you are experiencing hearing problems, whether that is due to your tinnitus, ear wax build up or hearing loss, you are likely to be under stress. It is a worrying thing experiencing ear problems and can impact your peace of mind. This is what we are here for! Visiting someone for advice and treatment can cause anxiety for a lot of people and this is normal. But it is important to book an appointment with us and ensure that you get the help you need.
Book an appointment with Hearing Choices today by doing one of the following:
- Call us on 01295 574380 or 07942 641986
- Or contact us through our online form – https://hearingchoicesuk.com/contact-us/